Gator slammed canoe, grabbed woman, new info shows

New information is being released about a gruesome alligator attack in Florida last month that left a woman dead.

A massive alligator knocked over a canoe with a married couple aboard, killing the wife after snatching her and dragging her under fresh water in Central Florida, state officials said.

The attack took place near the mouth of Tiger Creek near Lake Kissimmee in Polk County.

“An 11-foot, 4-inch alligator bit the woman and pulled her underwater,” Hailee Seely, spokesperson for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) southwest region, told USA TODAY June 26.

The May 6 attack killed Cynthia Diekema, 61, of Polk County and part of the Lakeland-Winter Haven metro area.

Here’s what officials said took place the day of the attack including information from a newly obtained preliminary report.

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‘Performed a death roll and swam away with the victim’

Just after 4 p.m. local time on May 6, FWC officers and Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a reported alligator incident involving people in the creek.

Investigators said a preliminary investigation found the victim was canoeing with her husband when they “encountered an alligator causing both individuals to fall into the water.”

The wife “was immediately bitten on the torso, and efforts by her husband to assist her were unsuccessful,” according to a preliminary FWC report obtained by KETV.

USA TODAY has requested the report.

“The alligator performed a death roll and swam away with the victim,” according to Seely who said the wife’s body was later found and recovered.

Alligator who snatched woman in canoe was killed

A state-contracted nuisance alligator trapper arrived, captured the alligator responsible for the attack, and it was ‘dispatched,’ officials said, meaning it was killed.

The attack remained under investigation on June 26, officials said.

‘She radiated her inner and outer beauty’: Remembering Cynthia Diekema

Cynthia Diekeman is from Davenport, officials said. The city, also in Polk County, is part of the Lakeland-Winter Haven metro area.

“She radiated her inner and outer beauty in all she did and had unconditional love for everyone,” her obituary reads. “She cherished her family and every moment and adventure they spent together.”

She leaves behind Dave, her husband of 41 years; her children, Jessica (Matt) Henry, and Megan (Casey) Straka; 2 grandchildren, Elena and Jack Henry.

What to do if you see an alligator close?

To reduce the chances of conflicts with alligators, the FWC recommends the following precautionary measures near the reptiles in or near water.

• Keep a safe distance if you see an alligator.

• Keep pets on a leash and away from the water’s edge. Pets often resemble alligators’ natural prey.

• Alligators are most active between dusk and dawn. If you swim, do so in designated areas during daylight hours. Do not swim with your pet.

• Do not feed an alligator. It’s illegal and dangerous.

People with concerns about an alligator are asked to call the FWC at 866-FWC-GATOR (866-392-4286).

The story has been updated to include new information.

Contributing: Lakeland Ledger, The Daytona Beach News-Journal

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Alligator kills woman in canoe, swims away with body in Florida